Aqsa "Axa" Parvez (April 22, 1991 – December 10, 2007) was the victim of a murder in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. During the murder trial, Superior Court Justice Bruce Durno acknowledged the slaying as an honour killing, stating, 'that he found it "profoundly disturbing that a 16-year-old could be murdered by a father and brother for the purpose of saving family pride, for saving them from what they perceived as family embarrassment."'.[1] Aqsa's brother, Waqas, had strangled her to death when she chose to not wear a hijab covering. Parvez's death was reported internationally and sparked a debate about the status of women in Islam.[2]

Around 8 am (EST) on December 10, 2007, Peel Regional Police responded to a 911 call from a man who had said he had just killed his daughter.[6] When officers arrived at a single-family detached home, they found Parvez suffering from life-threatening injuries.[4] She was immediately taken to Credit Valley Hospital and later transferred in critical condition to the Hospital for Sick Children where she died.[4] It was learned in court in 2010 that it was her brother who had strangled her, causing her to die from neck compression.[3]

One student reported that her father was threatening her, causing her to fear for her life.[3] Parvez's friends also said she wanted to run away from her family to escape the conflicts with them.[7]

Muhammad Parvez was charged with second-degree murder and denied bail.[8] The victim's older brother, Waqas Parvez, who was ordered by his father to not communicate with police,[3] was originally facing a charge of obstructing police and placed in custody.[8] He was released on bail and was ordered to reside with his surety and surrender his passport.[9] However, on June 27, 2008, Waqas Parvez was charged by Peel Regional Police with first-degree murder.[10]

On June 15, 2010, Muhammad Parvez and Waqas Parvez pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Aqsa Parvez, and a statement of agreed-upon facts was released.[11] Both were sentenced to life imprisonment, with no eligibility for parole until 2028.[12]

Parvez's death has also revived the story of the similar honour killing that happened in 1989 in which Zein Isa killed his 16-year-old daughter, Tina.

Many people consider her murder to be a case of an honour killing, while some Islamic leaders claimed that it is only a case of domestic violence.[13] Her death has also sparked a debate about the status of women in Islamic communities.[2] A statement her father made to her mother immediately after the crime was later cited in support of the honour killing theory: “My community will say you have not been able to control your daughter. This is my insult. She is making me naked.”[14]

A public funeral was to take place for Parvez at 1:30 pm (EST) at a Mississauga mosque on December 15, 2007.[15] However, hours before the funeral, her family decided to instead have a private funeral for privacy reasons.[2] Parvez was buried in an unmarked grave at the Meadowvale Cemetery in Brampton; her family refused a donation of a gravestone and a memorial made by anti-Islam activist Pamela Geller.[16]